Thursday, August 13, 2009

s’il vous plaît: subtitle suggestions requested

soooo, i know you haven't read my new book and probably don't know what it is about beyond the title tranquilista but i'm requesting your talented + creative input on the perfectsubtitle oozing withje ne sais quoi. here's the skinny:

* the 8 chapters consist of entrepreneurship (3 of 'em), spirituality, creativity, style, do-gooding, goal setting, and the book is full of tranquil tips on living live fully, mindfully, and flairfully.

* j'adore tranquilista: the ooh la la guide to enlightened work + mindful play. my editor doesn't. (yes, i continue to overdo my love for the phrase "ooh la la.") we've been toying with numerous subtitle versions and are struggling to find the right one that: helps define the book and is catchy.

* a few we've played with but dismissed: "tranquilista: a yoga teacher's guide to enlightened work and mindful play" OR "tranquilista: n. a woman who lives fully through enlightened work and mindful play" OR "tranquilista: 8 gems for mindful extravagance" OR "tranquilista: a girl's guide to fashionably enlightened entrepreneurship." (don't want to limit to entrepreneurs)

* of course i'd love a french phrase but most of all i want the "a ha" moment when i hear the perfect subtitle. please pass along any brainstorming suggestions to moi at kimberly@kimberlywilson.com or leave an idea in the comments section below!

* if your subtitle is chosen, i'll gift you with a $300 shopping spree to TranquiliT plus a complimentary signed copy of the book before it hits stores mid-january!

Loving the illustration -seems to suit your style perfectly. Also loving the changes to the fonts being used.I think the subtitle of "...fashionably enlightened entrepreneurship" sums up what you have described the book as being (plus it MAKES me want to read it!) and doesn't limit it to just those who do yoga. But to bring in the French language you love so much, how about swapping "A Girls' Guide" for something like "Le Femme.." as in "Le femme Guide to Fashionably Enlightened Entrepreneurship"?

I have to agree with your editor on "ooh la la" - it's flightiness doesn't seem to equal "mindful" or "entrepreneurship." Lauren hit the nail on the head with joie de vivre, and adding that to the current subtitle would definitely make me buy the book rather than just read it in Borders. Changing "a girl's guide" to "THE girl's guide" also implies it's the definitive guide - which we all know it will be!

So here's my suggestion:

Tranquilista: the girl's guide to joie de vivre and fashionably enlightened entrepreneurship

I would illustrate the benefit in the subtitle by adding something more tangible and descriptive, telling readers what they will get out of the book. A journey to living a life of…Discover a… and… life

Tranquilista: Le F.E.M.M.E.* Guide to Joie de Vivre or Tranquilista: Le F.E.M.M.E.* Guide to a Tres Chic Life

*F.E.M.M.E. = Finding Esprit & Modern, Mindful Entrepreneurship

Translated as: Tranquilista: The Finding of liveliness in mind/spirit and Modern, Mindful Entreprenuership Guide to the joy of living or Tranquilista: The Finding of liveliness in mind/spirit and Modern, Mindful Entreprenuership Guide to an in style/desirable life.

Ignore my previous comment! Just been on the Mireille Guiliano site (so excited about her new book too) and it has "savoir faire" in the sub-title. Looking forward to hearing what you come up with - it can be so much fun playing with words/order etc.

using femme rather than girl is a lovely idea... yet two things to remember: it is a feminine word, and thus must be "la" femme rather than "le" femme! and secondly, it can have the connotation of "femme fatale"